FAQ
Cheeky Darlings FAQ
How long have you been operating?
I launched Cheeky Darlings back in 2019 when our daughter turned one. It has been a growing passion ever since I started.
How did you come up with the name?
With the main focus being cloth nappies at the time, ‘Cheeky’ made a fun/punny opponent plus kids are just cheeky in general. Darlings is a play on my surname, Darlington. Thus, Cheeky Darlings was created.
Where are you located?
We live in northern Western Australia in the small coastal town of Dampier, just outside of Karratha.
Why did you expand into a clothing line?
This was always a dream. Building myself a brand and becoming an entrepreneur all whilst being home with my kids.
MCN & handmade FAQ:
How do I get modern cloth nappies?
All nappy releases are held in a closed Facebook group, please follow the below link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1277373402449279/
Why do you make nappies but not clothes?
I just love making nappies! I have dabbled in clothing but there has always been a high demand for Cheeky Darlings nappies that I prioritised.
Why do you sell nappies through a private group?
I have always sold my nappies in a private group. It has been an ever growing group that I have always been present in and will continue to do so. I love connecting with my customers (a lot of them I consider my friends… that I have never met). Head on over and see what I mean; it’s a hidden gem of a community.
Release FAQ:
How often are releases?
We aim to offer a clothing pre order every three months. Each release brings an array of new and exclusive, one of kind designs.
Can clothing only be purchased via pre order?
All big releases will be via pre order but we aim to have retail available on the website; though sizes and styles may be limited.
What is the turn around time?
Pre orders will remain open for one week (unless there is a sell out). The order is sent to the manufacturer within 1 week of closure. Fabric print time takes 5-10 days and production is 8-10 weeks + shipping time. We hope to never experience intensive delays, however these situations are out of our control. We then require 5-10 days to pack and send orders.
How often do you have a sale?
We will aim to have sales when stock needs to be cleared to make room for incoming stock; so perhaps every couple of months. Don’t worry, we will be sure to spam you with plenty of posts to ensure you don’t miss it.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes we do, you will find them in the main menu.
What payment options do you have?
We currently use a shopify e-commerce platform, which allows the following payment methods:
Credit card
Apple Pay
Paypal
Afterpay
Am I paying GST?
Yes, our prices are inclusive (10%) of GST.
How quickly do you process retail?
We do aim to get retail orders packed quickly and out the door within 24 hours; however mum life can be a little busy, so please be understanding if there are some delays.
Do you offer wholesale?
Sorry no, we do not offer wholesale to other suppliers.
Who helps you operate?
Cheeky Darlings is 99% owned, run and operated by myself (Fallon) but my husband (Dean) helps out with some packing. My wondering team of brand reps help some social media and business planning.
Who am I talking to on social media?
Whilst I try to remain present in all aspect of my business, I do have a lovely team of brand reps who help run my social media accounts. Should you message us via Instagram or Facebook you may receive a response from one of the lovely ladies.
For urgent/important matters please send an email to: info@cheekydarlings.com
Why did I receive a bag with my order?
All orders over $150 will receive a free PUL bag in any one of our amazing designs. These make for perfect impromptu ‘grab a bag and dash moments’ whether it be wet clothes at the pool/beach, a sports bag, park bag or even grocery bag.
Shipping FAQ:
Can I combine multiple orders?
If you wish to make multiple purchases during one open pre order, simply select pick up and we will combine your orders for you.
Can I combine an order with a friend/family member?
We ask that you do not combine orders with friends or family members, this gets far too confusing and messy.
Can I combine a pre order with retail?
We do not offer the option to combine pre orders with retail only because this can be become very confusing and could easily be missed during the packing process.
Can I combine a clothing purchase with nappies?
Sure! I am happy to hold any nappies for you if you have a pre order coming in (just remind me).
Can I get express shipping?
You sure can, there is an express shipping option upon checkout.
How is shipping calculated?
We offer a flat rate shipping; $12.00 for standard or $15.00 express.
Postage and insurance:
Once an order has been shipped the tracking number will be sent to you via email or to your Aus post app. Please watch this closely and allow for additional postage times as we live in rural WA. If you have not received your order within 14 days, we suggest lodging an inquiry with Aus post.
Orders do not include insurance, if you would like your order with extra cover, please send us a message on Facebook.
Cheeky Darlings are not liable for any lost parcels; this is the responsibility of the courier (Australia post) and the customer is required to claim for lost or stolen goods directly with them. This is why we have to abide by your address at checkout or PayPal.
Under the Australian Consumer Protection Act, once we have have shipped a parcel, it is the responsibility of the courier to deliver it safely. If any orders are lost during transit, it is the liability of the courier company to reimburse the customer. If you have purchased insurance, we can put a claim it on your behalf. Please send us a message; we are always available to help if we can.
Note - shipping times may be delayed throughout the month of December.
International customers:
We are insured to sell and ship worldwide; this EXCLUDES the USA and Canada. International shipping is a flat rate charge of $20.00 AUD.
Design FAQ:
How are the Pilbara designs made?
Jess paints all of the background by hand using an array of alcohol inks which give the designs so much colour and depth. Each element is then hand drawn/painted, sometimes on canvas and sometimes she uses the iPad to get creative. Everything is then scanned to me, using a few programmes I make the background seamless and layer all of the elements to create a seamless design.
Advisory - There is colourisation throughout the ink blends, occasionally causing inks spots. This is because all background are hand painted and it occurs during the drying and digitisation process.
What makes them exclusive?
I have been very fortunate to have Jess all to myself. Whilst she creates an abundance of art within her own business (Three Birds) all of the designs she has made for me are exclusively for me. Any direct copies could result in legal action under the Australian rights law.
Can I purchase a piece of artwork?
All of the designs featured in Cheeky Darlings are exclusive to our business and cannot be purchased as artwork. However if you follow Jess at Three Birds you may be lucky enough to purchase one of her own pieces.
Will you rerun designs?
We will aim to offer 6 new designs for each release, with 4 releases a year (each quarter). The final release of the year will be a most requested round where we bring back 6 favourites. This will be your opportunity to stock up on larger sizes, just in case it doesn’t make a comeback again.
What are custom designs?
Custom designs are pieces that I have created with purchased and licensed clipart. Layering elements and backgrounds to create seamless tiles. Whilst they are not completely exclusive (as anyone can purchase the same clipart) a direct copy would be a little cheeky.
Wash and care FAQ:
Please ensure you follow the care instructions sewn into the garments.
- Please read your detergent instructions for appropriate measurements.
- Wash on a normal cycle, maximum of 30 degrees.
- Hang to dry.
I accidentally put my clothes in the dryer on high, will they be ok?
Whilst we recommend you don’t, I have been putting our Cheeky Darlings clothing in the dryer (purely to test) whilst there has been some minimal shrinkage, which is to be expected for natural fibres such as cotton. To maintain the longevity of your clothing we recommend you hang to dry.
Will my clothes shrink?
Fabric is not ‘pre shrunk’ (pre washed) prior to production and as the clothing is made from cotton, which is a natural fibre; some shrinkage is to be expected within a couple of washes, allow for 5-10% shrinkage.
Will my clothes curl at the hem?
Clothing is made from cotton Lycra, 90% cotton and 10% lycra/spandex. Cotton Lycra can have a tendency to curl. This will not affect the use/wear of the clothing. Do not iron the hems. Ironing cotton Lycra this will damage the spandex components. Shake out any post wash wrinkles and hang neatly to dry.
Cloth nappy wash & care:
How you care for your nappies is extremely important; please ensure you follow the below instructions; and for more information please visit https://cleanclothnappies.com/
- Please read your detergent instructions for appropriate measurements.
- Remove solids and rinse under water, store in an open airy basket/pail.
- Pre-wash for at least a 30 minute cycle, ideally 40-60 degrees and continue to store in an open airy basket/pail.
- Main wash, ideally 40-60 degrees for at least a 1.5 hour wash cycle and within 2-3 days from pre-wash.
- Hang to dry or the dryer can be used for inserts only.
Manufacturing FAQ:
Are the clothes handmade?
Yes, whilst the clothes are technically handmade (by a small team of men and women in China) they are still mass produced/manufactured. I stipulate handmade purely to allow for minor variances among the pieces.
Will my items look the same advertised?
Placements will always vary for every product. We also suggest you allow for some colour variation as photos may depict a different light and all screens may represent the items differently.
Where are the products made?
All of our clothing is designed in Australia but made in China.
Why are there colour variations between products?
There will always be colour variations between bases. Our prints are digitally printed (think of it like a giant printer) so when it is pressed onto the fabric various fabric compositions can absorb the ink differently, causing some variations in colour. We do try to match as close as possible.
I think my item/s are faulty?
Manufacturer flaws will be determined by me/us. All items go through quality control checks by the manufacturer and then again by me/us when we receive the items and pack orders. If there is a printing flaw we are more than happy to replace or refund your items. Manufacturer flaws must be inspected to determined the flaw. All items are handmade by a small team of men and women so please allow for minor imperfections in regards to stitching. If you believe your item is faulty, please contact us within 30 days (please see refunds and returns), we require photos and for the item/s to be returned at purchasers expense.
Are clothing items true to size?
We have aimed to size our clothing in accordance to Australian sizes. Also know, clothing will fit children differently, much like purchasing clothes from market brands, some run larger or smaller in comparison to the competitive market.
Why are some some clothes labelled ‘girls’ or ‘boys’?
At Cheeky Darlings we don’t believe in gender conforming. We offer all the prints in all the styles. Our boy/girl labels are purely suggestive as specific styles may be a little more feminine than others, this does not mean you can’t purchase ‘girls yoga pants’ for your little boys, it is purely due to the style/make of the pants that we labelled them as such.
Quality of fabrics:
Fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, passed ink safety tests, SGS (fabric quality test) and recycled yarn test.
What fabric is used?
The majority of our clothing is made with a soft to touch cotton Lycra, 90% cotton and 10% Lycra. Leggings are made with a polyester/spandex blend.
How is the fabric made/printed?
The fabric is digitally printed (think of it like a giant printer). Electronically computerised to print a seamless pattern onto the fabric.
I use modern cloth nappies, will they fit under the clothing?
Yes! One of the biggest reasons this fabric was chosen is because of the stretch and resilience. 90% cotton and 10% Lycra gives it an incredible ability to stretch without warping or going transparent.
Refunds and returns:
Please see refund & returns page for full information.
I accidentally ordered the wrong size, can I swap it?
If you wish to exchange your item for a different size please contact us immediately. This is only possible for retail purchases. Pre orders items can not be exchanged/refunded due to incorrect purchase of size. We’ll try to assist you, though please understand stock may be limited and an exchange might not be possible. If an exchange can be processed, you will need to return your original item in unused condition and at your expense. Once your item has been received we will invoice you again for postage and send out your replacement.
I agreed to an exchange but I have not received my replacement item?
As per postage and insurance guidelines, once we have shipped an item it becomes the liability of the courier (Aus post) and is no longer in our hands. Please check tracking and lodge an inquiry if your item has not been received.
Should you require a refund after purchasing items on sale; you will be refunded the sale cost in which you paid, not full RRP.